Area Attractions

For naturalists, Lovers Key State Park on the South/East end of the island offers 712 acres of Florida preserve. There are walking trails, kayak rentals, natural beaches and concessions. It’s too far to walk (about 5 miles) but the trolley will take you there (free in season; $0.75 off season). 

There’s also a smaller, closer walking trail and preserve – Matanzas Pass Preserve – which is about 60 acres and includes a 1-mile trail. Matanzas Pass Preserve is just .9 miles from the house. Lover’s Key has a small entrance fee; Matanzas Pass Preserve does not. (12/31/2024 - Matanzas Pass remains temporarily closed following Hurricane Ian). 

Naples Zoo is a nationally accredited zoo and yet much more than a walk-through zoo. The nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable institution also features a full day of fun activities. The paved path winds nearly a mile past rare and beautiful animals residing within a historic tropical garden of exotic plants first planted in 1919 with a fascinating history. In this tropical setting, you can take delight at seeing many of your favorite animals like lions, giraffes, monkeys, pythons, and bears. In addition, you'll also discover feature habitats and an array of more rarely seen creatures like a giant anteater.

Manatee Park is a seasonal location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County. Manatees visit the park in search of warm water during the cooler days in winter when the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is below 68° F (20° C). The warm water in the Manatee Park canal comes from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street and is created as a byproduct of cooling off their equipment.

 The position of Sanibel Island off the coast of Florida provides the perfect conditions unique only to Sanibel Island allowing beautiful seashells to wash up daily onto beaches of Sanibel which is why Sanibel Island earned its title, "Seashell Capital of the World". You can hunt for seashells on Sanibel Island beaches or hire a local captain to take you on a guided shelling trip to many of the secluded beaches accessible only by boat.

Bowditch Point Park is 17-acres that is located at the northern tip of Estero Island. Approximately seven acres are a developed park for passive recreational use and the remaining 10 acres are a restoration/preserve area. This serene location, which encompasses the entire end of the island, offers a choice of settings to fulfill your needs. The back bay offers quiet waters, peaceful surroundings and a close up look of vessels entering and exiting the bay. The park area features tables and grills, available on a first come first served basis, in a shaded tropical setting sure to please any picnicker. The gulf front is more active while still providing a relaxed atmosphere for walkers, swimmers, and sunbathers. Walking trails, through the restoration/preserve area, carry you through varied environments and offers an excellent opportunity for bird watching while being highlighted by panoramic views of Estero Bay. 

We’re told we have the largest private pool on the island. Nonetheless, if you’re looking for a change of scenery there’s a waterpark - Fort Myers Beach Community Pool – located at 2600 Oak St (.9 mi). This facility offers 7,000 square feet of water, a heated lap pool with a wheelchair accessible swim lift and a large water slide. Also, a shallow family pool with an interactive play structure, a floating obstacle course and plenty of shade under one of the 20ft wide Funbrellas! Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children. Note: pool is currently closed. Check their website to confirm operating status. 

If you’d care to venture off the island, Sun Splash Family Waterpark is located in Cape Coral (about 20 miles). This is Southwest Florida’s largest waterpark where you can enjoy 14-acres of water slides, pools, attractions and a lazy river. Sun Splash is only open seasonally – usually from mid-March through late-September. Be sure to call or visit their website to confirm they’re open. It’s a pretty good haul from the house so I’d hate to see anyone travel there and find them closed.

The Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples is a brain-building powerhouse and Southwest Florida’s first museum devoted to children and families. This safe and wonderful place inspires children and families to have fun while learning together. CMON is a two-story, 38,000 sq. foot institution filled with interactive exhibits, classrooms, and more! Developed by experts in child psychology, this experimental play fosters creativity, curiosity, empathy, and self-esteem.

There are tons of different dolphin and sunset cruise opportunities in the area. Prices start at around $20 per person. I’d recommend going to TripAdvisor where you can see several different options, compare prices and look for special offers and reviews. 

Did you bring your dog? Dog Beach Park is located at the South end of the island. Visitors say you’ll find lots of dolphins there and you don’t need a dog to enjoy. Dogs may run free (can be off leash) and enjoy the water. There’s a dog shower so you can rinse your dog before leaving the beach. Dog Beach is located at 8600 Estero Blvd - about 7.9 miles from the house. Dog Beach is open 7 days a week from 7:00 AM to dusk. Dog Park is part of Lee County Parks and Rec. There is no charge for use of this facility. Please pick up after your pet and obey the rules to preserve the use of this park for all area residents and their guests.

The Seminole Casino Hotel in Immokalee provides a great entertainment experience. This all-in-one venue is home to a Casino, Hotel, Dining, and Entertainment.

Airboat Rides & Everglades Tours. Enjoy an airboat tour and see the natural lay of the land as well as native wildlife! From alligators to birds, you can explore the everglades by boat, vehicle, or on a safari tour.

Everglades Day Safari

Everglades Adventure

Fort Myers Beach offers some great fishing! Whether you’re a fan of catch-and-release or you’re looking to reel in your lunch, there are affordable and family-friendly fishing trips available for the whole day or half-day.

Pontoon Boat Tours

Pure Florida

Day 5 Charters

Excursions Marina, Inc. 

Salty Sam’s Marina

Salt N Light Charters

Adventures in Paradise Sanibel

EPC Charters, LLC

Just Livin The Dream Charters

Tarpon Bay Explorers

Snook Bight Marina

Sunset Dolphin Cruise with Sanibel Lighthouse Views by Pelican Bay Charters, LLC. 

Baseball Spring Training is one of the fun things to see while you’re at Fort Myers. Apart from the many fun things to do in Florida, we all know that Florida is a haven for baseball fans, and that’s for good reason! In the spring, baseball teams begin preparing and training for the bigger leagues, and you’ll be able to watch them in action! There are two main stadiums where you can watch the state’s Baseball Spring Training. The first is JetBlue Park at Fenway South, which is home to the famous Boston Red Sox. The second is the CenturyLink Sports Complex-Hammond Stadium, which is where the Minnesota Twins train during the spring. Both teams train for Major League Baseball, and the spring training “league” is known as the state’s Grapefruit League. 

Some of the other teams you’ll find in Florida’s Grapefruit League:

· The Atlanta Braves – North Port

· The Baltimore Orioles - Sarasota

· Detroit Tigers – Lakeland

· Houston Astros – West Palm Beach

· Miami Marlins– Jupiter

· New York Mets – Port St. Lucie

· New York Yankees– Tampa

· Philadelphia Phillies– Clearwater

· Pittsburgh Pirates – Bradenton

· St. Louis Cardinals – Jupiter

· Tampa Bay Rays – Port Charlotte 

· Toronto Blue Jays – Dunedin

· Washington Nationals – West Palm Beach

 The Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge is situated on the state’s southwest coast. Though not specifically in the city, it is very near to Fort Myers and is often considered one of its tourist attractions. According to many biologists, the refuge may be home to the very last colony of viable breeding Florida panthers on America’s eastern side. For over three decades, the Panther National Wildlife Refuge has been a wonderful place to visit to explore and learn about these large felines. It is worth noting that, given their elusive nature, you aren’t guaranteed to spot a panther as you go around the refuge grounds – though you can see them in the special panther habitat exhibit. Still, taking a hike is worth it, and signing up for a guided tour will give you a great glimpse into the world of these wildcats. Address: 12085 SR 29 South, Immokalee, FL 34142, United States. 

Looking for things to do in downtown Fort Myers for some fun entertainment? Check out the Florida Repertory Theatre, which boasts 21 years of experience and multiple award-winning and world-class performances in one historic location! Each of its productions is delightful and has drawn more than 87,000 visitors yearly. Known affectionately by locals as The Rep, the Florida Repertory Theatre offers a wide range of genres in its productions. Comedies, dramas, musicals, classics, and modern acts of all kinds color the delightful experience, which has earned them praise from the likes of the American Theatre Magazine and the New York Times. One of the main sections of this theatre is the Arcade Theatre, which was a Vaudeville house built back in 1908. Its historic structure continues to host the bulk of The Rep’s shows, providing an added elegance and grace to what is already a widely lauded and much-revered repertory company! Address: 2268 Bay St, Fort Myers, FL 33901, United States. 

 McGregor Boulevard is among the quintessential Fort Myers attractions, with an extra twist of opulence. It is a roadway lined with palm trees – all imported by Thomas and Mina Edison – totaling more than 1800, as well as some other trees. The road is a true representation of the wealthy, rich, and old of Fort Myers, a slice of luxurious Florida tinged with history and taste. At McGregor Boulevard, you’ll see restored buildings, botanical gardens, quirky and trendy eateries, and lots of pavement to drive, jog, and walk on. Each portion of the boulevard tells another part of the city’s story, and its 14-mile length is a sight for sore eyes. Address: Fort Myers, FL, United States. 

 Defy Fort Myers is one-of-a-kind spots for recreation across America. It is a fun and exciting center for people of all ages to enjoy a trampoline park complete with additional features like dodgeball courts, foam pits, trapezes, and more. Their parkour pit is especially renowned for being heart-pumping and engaging. A great indoor activity, Defy Fort Myers provides something for you to enjoy in an active way when it’s too cold, hot, or rainy in Florida weather. Exhilarating experiences, numerous programs, and trained staff at an element of safety and further thrill and adrenaline to those who come by! Address: 9370 Dynasty Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33905, United States.  

Looking for more sunny things to do in Fort Myers? Bunche Beach is one of your top choices, especially if you’d like a bit of relaxation away from noisy crowds. A serene and tranquil environment, it’s one of the city’s impressive hidden gems and contains 718 acres of beautiful, natural, and unspoiled land. Salt flats, beaches, mangrove forests, and land of all sorts look out over the rest of the city. Bunche Beach is a safe swimming location, and paddleboards, kayaks, and other watercraft can be rented for use out on the cobalt waves. You’ll even get to spot wildlife, such as flamingos – one of which posed for pictures here in 2016 – and other birds. Don’t forget to go shell hunting, too! Address: 18201 John Morris Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33908, United States

 The Murder Mystery Dinner Train is one of the best and most unique must-do activities in Fort Myers. It is a one-of-a-kind, unorthodox dining experience that involves you taking a 40-mile ride on a train and becoming part of a staged murder mystery! You’ll get to step into your detective shoes in the vein of Sherlock Holmes, Miss Marple, or Hercule Poirot, taking note of all the clues you find and trying to decipher them with other guests in order to figure out who is guilty. The exact mystery and culprit changes, rotates, and shifts all the time, so if you’ve gone for one dinner, chances are it’ll be different now! The Murder Mystery Dinner Train also offers a wide range of seasonal events. The holidays are a fantastic time to try out the experience, but all of the train’s themes are great, adding even more variety to ensure that every trip is different. And, of course, one can’t forget the five-course meal you’ll enjoy during the ride, made scrumptious by qualified chefs! Address: 2805 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33966, United States.  

Among the absolute best places to visit near Fort Myers is the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, especially if you’re interested in nature, Florida’s ecosystems and wildlife, and a generally good time! It is situated on Sanibel Island and spans close to a whopping 8,000 acres – or half of the whole island. You can pop by the visitor center to learn more about the habitats and wildlife, as well as to get some information on Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling himself. The refuge was named after its founder, a political activist, and conservationist, and provides open-air tram tours, each one taking up 90 minutes and led by a certified naturalist. At the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, you’ll get to see all sorts of diverse flora and fauna native to the mangrove environment. This includes alligators, bobcats, otters, ospreys, numerous wading birds, and tons of different crustacean and fish species. There are four hiking trails to explore as well as plenty of options of things to enjoy, such as canoeing, paddleboarding, fishing, bird-watching, and kayaking. Address: 1 Wildlife Dr, Sanibel, FL 33957, United States. 

The Fort Myers Brewing Company was opened in 2011 by Rob and Jen Whyte. Rob, who had brewing experience from the 90s, and his wife spent two years researching and planning the company’s opening in the city. It has since become known as the greatest large brewery in all of Florida. The Fort Myers Brewing Company has won multiple awards in the state and still comes with a lot of local whimsy and charm. Their local brews are delicious and just the ticket after a long day of exploration. Special events, like food truck nights, game nights, and trivia nights, further liven the experience. If you’re looking for what to do in the city for a good drink and a fun time, the brewing company is a great choice! Address: 12811 Commerce Lakes Dr #28, Fort Myers, FL 33913, United States. 

• The Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce
• The Fort Myers Visitors and Convention Bureau
• Plan Your Vacation with the Shellcast Podcast presented by the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, a.k.a., #VisitFortMyers. Listen now at  Shellcast Podcast - Visit Fort Myers 
• TripAdvisor - Things to Do in Fort Myers Beach

These are just a few of the things to do in Fort Myers. Have you found a place during your stay that we should include on this list for future guests? If so, please share at brad@southernserenityfmb.com or https://Facebook.com/SouthernSerenityFMB. Thank you!